Brookfield names Woman of the Year

News-Times, The (Danbury, CT)

Published
8:00 pm EDT, Wednesday, August 22, 2007

"When I was in high school, my mother gave me a piece of glass with this anonymous saying on it," said Hensal. "This message became a part of me. I have lived my life according to it and reared my children by it, as well."

The Women's Club of Brookfield recently named Hensal the 2007 Brookfield Woman of the Year.

Joanna Charecky, co-president of the club, said the award is given to a Brookfield resident who has contributed to the betterment of the town over a period of many years. It was first presented in 1974 and has been given to 24 women since then, including Gov. M. Jodi Rell and Brookfield's former first selectman, Bonnie Smith.

For more than 30 years, Hensal, a grandmother of three who lives in Brookfield with her husband, Tom, has been involved with dozens of causes and projects with the goal of improving life for Brookfield residents.

"I had just moved to town from Wilmington, Del., and didn't know anyone," said Hensal. "Being in the Newcomers Club served as my stepping stone to meeting people and learning about everything that was going on in town."

When Hensal's two sons were young, she became a board member of Center Elementary School's PTO and also served as PTO president of Whisconer Middle School.

In the 1980s, Hensal became involved with Brookfield's Open Space Study Group. She was responsible for the town's purchase of 100 acres of land that will never be developed. She also served on the Bicentennial Committee for the town's 200th birthday in 1988.

Hensal said her favorite way of helping out is fundraising. "I greatly enjoy raising money for a good cause," she said.

Several years ago she sold advertisements for a booklet that helped raise money for the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut. As a member of the Brookfield Women's Club, Hensal helps coordinate an annual fundraising event to provide a graduating high school senior with a $1,000 scholarship.

Through the years, Hensal became involved in many projects that had been previously dominated by men. She had been the only woman to serve on the board of directors for the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce.

She was also one of the first women to serve as a corporator for the Savings Bank of Danbury, a position she still holds. As corporator, she helps to evaluate the bank's performance.

"I am a big advocate for women," said Hensal. "I believe if a woman works very hard, she should be recognized for what she does."

"Betty has been a great asset to the Brookfield community," said Charecky, who has known Hensal for more than 10 years. "She has such a bubbly personality and a boundless energy. She is concerned about everyone and everything."

Since 1994, Hensal, along with her husband, has been president and owner of Davis Hoyt/Hensal Real Estate in Brookfield. She said she enjoys welcoming new people to the area and selling them homes that best fit their needs.

Hensal believes that staying active is important both mentally and physically. "My advice to anyone who wants to be active within their community is to get involved with something that you enjoy. Not only will you get to meet people who share a similar interest, but you will get the personal satisfaction of knowing that you helped improve the area where you live."

Hensal said she plans to continue to stay active in town.

"My husband and I have always loved Brookfield," she said. "While it has become more commercialized through the years, it is still small enough for residents to make a difference."

Hensal said she will always cherish her award. "It's a very special feeling to be recognized for trying to make our town a better place to live and raise a family."